Women in sci-fi are #SoWeary of Hugo Awards backlash

The outcry over controversial British talk show host Jonathan Ross’s invitation to host the Hugos just won’t die down.

The outcry over LonCon’s decision to ask controversial British talk show host Jonathan Ross to host the Hugos just won’t end. After a week filled with accusations of bullying and harassment on all sides, a new wave of backlash swept the sci-fi community Thursday evening after one noted author used the wrong Twitter hashtag.

Ross has a long track record of offending women and other marginalized viewers on his eponymous BBC talk show. LonCon is this year’s host for the world’s oldest sci-fi/fantasy convention, WorldCon, which like the rest of the sci-fi/fantasy publishing sphere has grappled with ongoing issues of diversity and representation in recent years. Many in the community took Ross’s engagement to host as a sign that convention organizers didn’t care about the safety of women and minority attendees.

For his part, Ross felt personally attacked by those who reacted to the con’s decision on Twitter. His daughter called the uproar “emotionally exhausting,” while his wife, Hugo-winning screenwriter Jane Goldman, deleted her Twitter altogether because of the backlash. Meanwhile, mainstream media consistently characterized many of the community members who spoke out against Ross’s hiring as an “angry mob,” although many of those who were offended also received harassment on Twitter as a result of the debate.

Then came LonCon’s statement. The convention apologized to everyone and apparently satisfied no one: First to Ross and his family for the harassment they received, then to those who were upset that Ross was chosen, and to those who were upset he would not be hosting. Additionally, the convention seemed to abjure full responsibility for the decision, claiming that “we did not consult widely or promptly enough within our own Committee or with external parties.”

This seems to contradict a now-privatestatement by one committee member that she argued with the chairs for days over their decision, and resigned in protest after gathering that the decision was not up for debate.

Social media has continued to drive the debate in the days since Ross’s withdrawal, and it has predictably catalyzed the latest turn of events. Perhaps as a result of what writer Chuck Wendig called “social PTSD,” last night, bestselling fantasy author Patrick Rothfuss, known for his Kingkiller Chronicle series,asked the community to simmer down:

Um, guys? Can we all stop being dialed-to-11 offended about everything? Then being offended that people are offended we’re offended? Please?

The #IAskedPolitely tag referenced above is a year-old tag detailing women’s negative experiences with geek culture after “#Donglegate” and the firing of Adria Richards. Like another geek hashtag takeover, #1ReasonWhy, women used it to outline the many obstacles they face in a culture that routinely marginalizes them. Last night, a similar takeover swiftly happened.

Rothfuss’ use of the hashtag #SoWeary quickly turned into a venting session among marginalized members of the sci-fi community. Like all the other geek hashtags before it, the #SoWeary takeover included discussions about girl-shaming, harassment, the “watch your tone” argument, and more:

The sci-fi and fantasy corner of geek culture has a long way to go before it can stop reacting, however. After decades of marginaization, many members of sci-fi/fantasy fandom are finding that the Internet is finally providing a platform for their concerns. They are angry and loud. But they are yelling over the long history of publishing that has rewarded the accomplishments of straight white men while dismissing or erasing those of everyone else.

The good news is that more and more, publishing is starting to listen, and changes are already taking effect. Despite the shadow cast over the Hugos by the debate over Ross, the year’s awards circuit is already favoring diverse authors. Whether any of them will make their way onstage at WorldCon remains to be seen; but with the award ceremony months away, one thing is certain:

The ongoing debate about inclusion and diversity in sci-fi will be coming to a Twitter near you.

Aja Romano is a geek culture reporter and fandom expert. Their reporting at the Daily Dot covered everything from Harry Potter and anime to Tumblr and Gamergate. Romano joined Vox as a staff reporter in 2016.